Guest Post by Louise of School Stickers

It’s that time of year again. Winter overcoats have been bought, you’ve supplied each of your children with three pairs of gloves (as that’s how many they lost last year), and you’re still trying to convince them that they do indeed need to wear more than a t-shirt outside.

So, although you can dress them up in as many layers as you like, they’re still guaranteed to come in from school with numb noses and icy fingers, and suddenly their afternoon cup of juice and snack doesn’t seem quite enough.

Here are some easy winter warmer drinks and snacks that will keep your little ones warm and not have them bouncing off the walls.

Babyccinos and Chocolate Wands

Babyccinos are often served in coffee shops in Europe, and are a simple small cup of steamed milk with a little chocolate powder or cinnamon sprinkled on top. Although you probably won’t have the luxury of a milk steamer at home, you can easily create these by warming milk in a pan while whizzing with a milk frother.

The perfect snack to go with a babyccino is a homemade chocolate wand. Simply melt a bar of milk chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, and use a spoon to cover plain breadstick halves with the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off. Sprinkle over some sprinkles, and place on a sheet of greaseproof baking paper.

Pop in the fridge for half an hour until set.

Children can swirl the wand in the babyccino to add a chocolate taste with all the calcium but only a small amount of the sugar of a hot chocolate.

Mulled Apple Juice and Oatmeal Cookies

Mulled apple juice is quick to make and gives your little one a vitamin boost as well as a warming effect.

Simply warm 100% apple juice (not from concentrate) in a pan with a pinch of pumpkin pie spice, or a little cinnamon and nutmeg. If you like, add in a few strips of orange zest for a fruitier flavor. Serve warm in mugs.

For the oatmeal cookies, combine:

1 ½ cups oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ cup honey
½ cup oil
1 tbsp molasses
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Chill the mixture for half an hour, then pop teaspoonfuls on a greased baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes at 335 degrees.

Warm Butterbeer and Peanut Butter Apples

Warm Butterbeer is a winter favorite up in Hogsmeade with Harry and Hermione, so why not introduce it as an occasional post-school treat – don’t worry, there’s not a drop of alcohol in sight!

For the Butterbeer, simply put a tablespoon of butterscotch sauce and ½ tablespoon of double cream into each mug.

Warm some cream soda on the stove, and then pour into the mugs for some winter magic.

For the peanut butter apples, simply core and cut an apple into wedges and then top with peanut butter – the slight saltiness is the perfect accompaniment to the sweet creaminess of the Butterbeer, and tops up their vitamins and protein.

What winter warmers do you give your little ones when it’s starts to get cold out?

Louise Blake is a new mum who loves her food, but is also interested in health. She blogs for School Stickers in the small amount of spare time she has, and loves whipping up tasty treats in the kitchen, too.